7 civilians abducted in Mukaya County: Official

Photo: Mukaya county commissioner Joy Keji

At least seven civilians were abducted in several villages of Mukaya County in South Sudan’s Yei River State, a local official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj last week, the county commissioner Joy Keji Raphael said she briefed the state governor on the general security situation in the county as well as abduction of seven civilians.

She said a woman with a child, two area chiefs, a local businessman and a religious leader were among those abducted during night hours.

“On the 4th of last month, three civilians were abducted, one woman with her child. Again on Friday last week, another incident happened in which an area chief of Dimo was abducted and during the same night another chief was abducted in Yondoru,” Keji said.

She added, “A businessman and a pastor were abducted, bringing the total number to seven”.

The local official accused armed men affiliated to the rebel group National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo of abducting the civilians, while calling for the unconditional release of all the seven missing people.

She appealed to the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help trace the whereabouts of the civilians who were abducted.

“We are in peace and there is no need for us to cause fear and threats to our people. In Mukaya, we do not have any rebel group but it’s only the group loyal to General Thomas Cirillo,” Keji said.

On his part, however, NAS spokesperson Suba Samuel Manase denied the rebel group’s involvement in the abduction of civilians.

"We have no information about the state government's statement, and we have nothing to do with the abduction of civilians in Yei River State," Suba said.